November Manufacturing PMI Higher Than Expected, Week In Review

Week in Review

Asian equities were mostly lower for the week with South and Southeast Asia outperforming Northeast Asia as India and Pakistan were the top-performing markets.
Internet earnings releases for Q3 this week included Pinduoduo, a strong beat on top and bottom line, Meituan, which was mostly in line with estimates, and Bilibili, which reported net income below estimates.
President Xi traveled to Shanghai this week, where he met with multiple technology companies and visited an affordable housing complex.
The PCAOB announced that it will be able to complete audit reviews for all auditors of US-listed Chinese companies, fining some for employees cheating on training exams.

Key News

Asian equities were mixed but mostly lower overnight as Mainland China outperformed Hong Kong.

The Caixin Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for November came in at a higher-than-expected 50.7, indicating an expansion in activity. Consensus estimates had been for a slight contraction at 49.8. PMIs are diffusion indexes with readings above 50 indicating expansion and readings below 50 indicating contraction. Positives surprises for China’s economic data continue, though markets appear to have ignored this one.

The US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) fined PWC
PWC
Hong Kong and PWC China yesterday for “violating PCAOB quality control standards related to integrity and personnel management.” Both companies agreed to pay the fines of $4 million and $3 million, respectively, and are “…required to review and improve their quality control policies and procedures to provide reasonable assurance that their personnel act with integrity in connection with internal training, and to report their compliance to the PCAOB within 150 days.” The PCAOB’s efforts to protect US investors are to be commended. It is important to note that he penalties and consequences were not due to the quality of the audits, but rather employees cheating on internal training courses. Yesterday’s release reinforces the question as to why the SEC has yet to remove the companies audited by PWC and KPMG from their list of companies identified as potentially violating the Holding Foreign Holdings Accountable Act (HFCAA). As stated in mid-December of 2022, the PCAOB has been granted complete access to auditor reviews. China’s authorities appear to have done all that has been asked of them. When will US authorities reciprocate and remove the delisting risk?

Macau gaming stocks were higher overnight despite a slight decline in activity in November. Real estate developers were lower. All sectors were lower in Hong Kong.

Half of yesterday’s large net inflow into Mainland stocks from foreign investors via Northbound Stock Connect was reversed overnight with net selling of over -$600 million in the mutual market access program.

Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world’s largest battery maker and Ford’s partner on electric vehicles, declined only -0.90% and the electric vehicle ecosystem was mixed. This is despite news that the Biden Administration will move to reduce the amount of subsidies available to automakers that use China-based battery technology suppliers. As of now, Ford is still going ahead with its new EV manufacturing plant that will use technology from CATL. Automakers are likely to choose whether to take full advantage of the subsidies while accepting the challenge of sourcing parts elsewhere or to ease their supply chain burden while foregoing some subsidies.

Electric vehicle makers Li Auto and Xpeng reported November vehicle deliveries increased by +172% and +245%, respectively.

The Hang Seng and Hang Seng Tech indexes both closed lower by -1.25% and -1.76%, respectively, overnight on volume that declined -18% from yesterday. Mainland investors bought a net $675 million worth of Hong Kong stocks overnight via Southbound Stock Connect. The top-performing sectors overnight were Health Care, which fell -0.45%, Energy, which fell -0.53%, and Financials, which fell -0.90%. Meanwhile, the worst-performing sectors were Information Technology, which fell -2.02%, Communication Services, which fell -1.95%, and Real Estate, which fell -1.80%.

Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the STAR Board all closed slightly higher by +0.06%, +0.25%, and +0.21%, respectively, on volume that increased +8% from Friday. Foreign investors sold a net $637 worth of Mainland stocks overnight via Northbound Stock Connect. The top-performing sectors overnight were Communication Services, which gained +2.88%, Information Technology, which gained +0.57%, and Information technology, which gained +0.57%. Meanwhile, the worst-performing sectors were Consumer Staples, which fell -1.75%, Consumer Discretionary, which fell -1.31%, and Materials, which fell -0.80%. Government bonds were slightly higher, copper gained, and steel fell.

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